Turntable



Feb. 26 1946. W ANDERSEN 2,395,528

` TURNTABLE Filed March 22, 1945 iwi.

- A ATTO/eNews.

Patented Feb. 26, 1946 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE'` TURNTABLE Oscar W. Andersen, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 22, 1943, Serial No. 480,055

(Cl. 25d-93) 11 Claims.

My invention relates to supporting structures and, more particularly, to a rotary structure such as a turntable which can be turned about a vertical axis and, if desired, adjusted in a vertical position. While the invention can be used for various purposes, it is particularly Well adapted to a vground-flush installation as a part of a com-4 pass rose for testing, correcting, or Calibrating one or more Compasses of an airplane. It is in this connection that lthe invention will be particularly described. l v

The `Compasses of an airplane are usually checked both shortly after installation thereof and at frequent intervals during the life of the plane, for example, after an engine change or replacement of other equipment which may affect lthe compass reading. Such checking may include `testing,`correcting, or Calibrating the one or more Compasses by turning the airplane to face different compass points and making any adjustments or compiling any tables which may be necessary.

Previously accepted methods are laborious and require the use of a master compass. lIn employing same, a string is attached to the bottom of the fuselage and stretched forward from the airplane,

being then sighted along the fuselage to hold it as close to the centerline ofthe airplane as possible. The plane is then taxied so that this string lines up with points of the master compass usually positioned in front of the airplane, at which time observations are made. This operation must be repeated at least twenty-four times, usually at intervals and requires the lservices of a ground crew, usually consisting of three men in addition to men in the ship, and involves on an average of one hour and fifteen minutes. On account of the many variables, as lcaused by wind, defective master compass, and misalignment due Ato the many human errors involved, this method is `accurate only to approximately a 6 tolerance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel turntable disposed inthe center of a compassrose and adapted to support the airplane in whole or in part and to act as a pivot about which the plane can turn. Y

In one method of employing such a turntable, to be particularly exemplified 1in the present application, the airplane is taxied to the rose with the right wheel on the turntable, this wheel being `centered by a suitable chock. The other Wheel is positioned oli the turntable and a suitable pointer is attached to its -axle to be lined up With the Aradial lines of the compass rose as the ship pivots power. The pointer is in a position to be observed by thev pilot and can be lined up accurately with the appropriate radial line of the compass rose, at which time the pilot can accurately check his compass and, if desired, another man in the rear can adjust the navigators compass. Usually, compass corrections are first made on the north and east positions, after which checks are vmade on the south and west positions. Thereafter, correction tables are made for al1 intermediate positions at 15 intervals. By this method, the abovementioned errors are eliminated and it is possible to hold the accuracy within any desired limit. Furthermore, two men can check andcalibrate the two compasses in approximately fifteen minutes, without the aid of a ground crew.

A somewhat modied method may be employed if, as is sometimes desirable with certain. types of airplanes, a compass is to be tested or calibrated with the wheels retracted (for example, toward the fuselage in close proximity to the compass) to avoid errors produced by the magnetic inuence o-f the wheel structures. An effective way of employing the invention in this connection is to locate the airplane in proper position relative to the turntable so that the Wheels straddle the turntable. A suitable lifting frame is then placed on the turntable and provides means for engaging the airplane at suitable lift points when the turntable is raised a few inches. Such lifting need be only sufficient to clear the wheels and permit their retraction, the plane being supported in whole or in part by the frame. If desired, the entire weight of the plane may be imposed on the turntable, though it is usually the practice to lift only that portion of the plane near the Wings and allow the third wheel, properly turned to permit rotation of the plane, to support a portion of the plane. The turntable permits the airplane to be turned easily to the different compass positions for effecting the desired testing or calibration of its one or more Compasses.

It is one of the important objects of the invention to provide an effective and comparatively inexpensive system for rotating and, if desired, raising planes, as required in the process `of testing, correcting, or Calibrating one or more compasses disposed in the airplane. l

It is alsoan object of the present invention to provide `a normally-ground-ush turntable which is appropriately formed of .non-magnetic materials so as not to interfere with the correct adjustment of the compass means of an airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turntable, or other rotary structure, which ls substantially frictionless and in which a fluid, preferably a liquid, is entrapped to support the Weight of the table means and any weight placed thereon, this support being by transmission of pressure through the fluid to a stationary member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a structure in which a table means provides a downwardlyffacing cylinder closed at its upper end: 'and receiving an upwardly-extending post supported at its lower end, there being a chamber between the upper end of the post and the closed end of the cylinder in which a fluid is entrapped.

Another object of the invention is to position a pressure-transmitting iiuid nearthe"groun`d level of a table means to give a better type of support, to facilitate drainage of fluid from the chamber, and to accomplish other very advantay geous results.' y It is also an object of the invention to dispose thefluid-lled vchamber in readily-accessible positlon and to provide a structure in which a packing means for such a chamber is accessible for inspection orreplacement without lifting the entire table structure from this support.

' A further object is to provide a novel system for limiting the vertical movement of a turntable .in elevation; of the turntable means of the invention; and

Figure 3 is anenlarged fragmentary View of a portion of Figure 1.v

turntable structure. usually taxied to a position in which the pointer I'8 rests above that line II pointing due west, at which time the airplane will be pointing due north and the pilot can make appropriate adjustments to his compass. He then swings the plane through 90 until it points due east, the compass being checked at this position and any necessary adjustmentsv made. The ship is .then progressively turned through 30 angles and similar adjustments, if necessary, are made, after which the plane is turned at intervals and a suitable` compass-correction table prepared.

'set in the'earth and providing a turntable chamber 26 anda control chamber 21 which open at their upper ends at ground level. In this con- Y nection, the foundation means 25 provides a sur- Referring particularly to Figure l, the compass rose Aisvindicate'dgenerally by the numeral I0 -and' comprises a plurality of radial lines II laid Y' out ona fiat surface 'I2 of a'landing field, these lines being correctly oriented with respect to true compass points. These lines are usually spaced 15 apart and are' suitably marked, as indicated by the'numeral 13,' employing numerals visible fro'mth'e pilots compartment of an airplane I5. Disposed flush with theground in the center of the compass rose is the turntable structure IBof A' the invention. 1 y As shown in-Figure 1, the ,airplane is taxied to the 4compass rose,V with its right wheel centered on the vertical axis of the turntable structure, vand held in place by a suitable chock Il..

a tricycle-typelanding gear, including a forward wheel 20 which is turned to facilitate rotation of the plane about the'vertical axis of the turntable structure under the power .of its own motors. As Vthe plane turns, the weight on the right wheel is carried by the turntable structure I6 which pivots with the Wheel to avoid harmful distortion ofthe wheel-supporting structure, as well as wear of the tireyand to prevent any variation in central positioning of the wheel with respect to the faceV 28 flush with the surface I2. A/cylindrical ring 29 of non-magnetic material, such as brass, is embedded in the foundation ymeans 25 toY form the upper boundary of the turntable chamber 26, this ring being concentric with a vertical pivot axis A-A 'and being retainedin place bysuitable non-magnetic anchors 3|). Communicationbetween thel chambers 26 and 2Iis provided by a pipe means 3|, and drainage of thechambe 26 is accomplished by a=pipe means-32, these pipe means being suitably embedded'in the `concrete` preferably cast as a unitary memberrand is best formed of manganese bronze.

Rotatable with respect to theV post 35 is a table Y frommanganese steel and' includes arelativelyV thin annular top plate'48 reinforced at its periphery by an integral flange 49 of somewhatismaller diameter than the ring `2 9.v Websj are cast-integrally with the skirt `46, the top plate` 48, and the flange 49 to reinforce this casting. Y

The'interior of the'sleeve 44 yprovides a cylindrical boundary of the cylinder 4I and is of a slightly'larger diameter than the smooth cylindrical periphery 52 of the post 36. This centers the table means 4I) with respect to the axis A'-A and effects a low-friction journalling. of this table means with respect to the post 3S.' f

The internal cylindrical surface of the sleeve 44 is counterboredto receive a packing means 53,

" Vusually of the chevron type. The invention convthe closure plate 42 is made removable.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, this Vclosure 'plate' includes a Viiange 55 corresponding :in ex- Vternal diameter'totheinnersurfaceV 45 and 1s detachably connected to the uppermost end of In practice, the plane is the sleeve 44, as'by screws 56. This closure plate 42 carries a depending annular member shown as a skirt 51 extending into the packing space occupied in part by the packing means 53. The skirt 51 is of suitable length to compress the packing means 53 to a desired extent so as to form a substantially fluid-tight junction between the post 36 and the sleeve 44. The internal journalling surface of the sleeve 44 is preferably relieved to form a chamber 59 around the post 36 below the packing means 53. Any fluid leaking past the packing means and entering this chamber S serves to lubricate the structure. However, as such leakage is usually small, I prefer to provide an auxiliary supply of 4lubricant to this chamber to insure adequate lubrication of the journalling surfaces. A `small pipe 66 serves in this connection Vand is shown as 'substantially paralleling a pipe means 66, to be later described, to terminate in a suitable grease-gun fitting 6! in the chamber `21 through which grease may be forced into the chamber 59.

The uppermost end of the post 36, determined by the head 31, terminates below ground level. When the table means 46 is at ground level, as shown in Figure 2', the head 31 and the closure plate 42 are spaced from each other to dene a chamber 62 serving to entrap a fluid, preferably a liquid, so that the table means 46 and any weight placed thereon is supported by transmission of pressure through the fluid to the uppermost end of the post 36. This provides for a substantially frictionless journalling of` the table means, the uid in the chamber 62 being compressed in proportion to the weight supported and serving to separate the table means 40 from Ithe post 36 except for the cylindrical journalling surfaces which prevent tipping of the table means as the wheel of the airplane is rolled thereon. However, when the wheel of the airplane is centrally disposed, there is substantially no tendency to tip the table means and, correspondingly, there is substantially no friction at the cylindrical journalling surfaces.

The iiuid in the chamber 62 is preferably a liquid and means is provided for varying the amount of this liquid and for entrapment of this liquid. This means is shown as including a pipe 65 extending upward in the post 36 and connected at its lower end to form a part of the pipe means 66 extending through an opening of the post means 33 and through the embedded pipe 3| into the control chamber 21. Here, this pipe means is usually provided with a union 61 anda check valve 66 of the type preventing rightward iiow. A manual valve 66 is also provided, as is also a tting 16 adapted for connection to a pump, or other source of pressure, not shown, for forcing the liquid into the chamber 62. A permanently connected, variable-pressure `source of liquid can bel employed, particularly where it is desired to lift the turntable frequently, in which event the check valve 68' and appropriate fluid-release means for lowering the turntable can be Ypositioned at a remote point. Where no frequent lifting is required', I prefer to use a portable pump detachably connected to thetting 16 upon removal of a plate 12 closing the control chamber 21. In this way, the portable pump can be connected when the installation is rst made and a suitable quantity oi liquid forced through the pipe means 66 to the chamber 62. As the liquid is forced into th chamber 62, the table means 40 rises and the liquid is trapped in the system by the check valve 66, or, if this check valve is not used, it .is entrapped by closing the `manual valve 69.

Before liquid is delivered to the chamber 62 to raise the table means 40 to .ground level, this table means is in a lower position, determined by a stop means comprising a shoulder 13 on the post means 33 which contacts and supports the lowermost end of the sleeve 44. As soon as a relatively small amount of liquid is forced into the chamber 62, `the table means 40 rises to disengage this stop means and support the table means hydraulically.

Preferably, a stop means is also provided for limiting the maximum upper movement of the table means 40. In this connection, I prefer to provide a limit means permitting uid to escape from the chamber 62 when the table means reaches a desired uppermost position. To accomplish this, intersecting bores 14 and 15 are formed in the post means 33, the former extending through the head 31 to communicate with the chamber 62 and the latter extending through the post 36 to communicate, when the table means 4l) is at ground level, with the packing chamber containing the packing 53. When the table means is thus positioned, the packing means 53 prevents.

escape of fluid from thechamber 62 through the bores 14 and 15. However, when the table means rises to bring the lowermost portion of the packing means adjacent the bore 15, this uncovers the bore and permits escape of fluid downward between the wall of` the cylinder 4l and the cylindrical surface 52 of the post 36, this fluid entering the chamber 59 and subsequently escaping therefrom to pass through the drain 32. The area of the fluid-escape passage may be properly correlated with the rate of fluid supply to the chamber to discharge all of the fluid delivered to the chamber 62 when the table means is in its desired uppermost position, even though the fluid supply is continued at its normal rate.

Very little, if any, attention need be gi-ven to the device even after prolonged operation.v If the table means 4B lowers slightly from its groundlevel position, it is necessary only to force a small additional amount of liquid into the chamber 62. However, it is desirable to inspect periodically the packing 53. This can be accomplished by draining the chamber 62, either through removal of a plug 8l in the closure plate 42 or, preferably, by opening a small petcock 11 in a pressure-relief pipe 18 communicating with the pipe means 66 between the union 61 and the check valve 6B. This permits the entrapped liquid to flow under pressure or by gravity through the pipe means 66 and discharge through the petcock 11 communicating with the pressure side of the check valve 68. It will be apparent also that the plug 8l or the pipe 18 can be used for introducing fluid into the chamber 62, if desired.

To inspect the packing 53, it is necessary only to remove the closure plate 42, which makes the packing immediately accessible for inspection or replacement. This is in contradistinction to any system in which the chamber 62 is disposed at the lower end of a piston depending from the table means. In that instance, the chamber must be at the lower end of the turntable chamber 26 and the entire table means must usually be lifted to inspect or adjust the packing.

It is preferable to form all of the elements of the invention of non-magnetic material. In additio-n, it is desirable that the post 36 (preferably formed of manganese bronze, as mentioned above) and the sleeve 44 be of different materials to give a better "journalli'ng action. In practicall prefer to form the sleeve 44 of non-magnetic iron. The table 4l is preferably cast from a material such as manganese ornickel steel, and the piping can be formed of copper, brass, or other non-magnetic material. A y

It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to a turntable for use in conjunction with a compass rose. It nnds distinct utility in numerous industrial, railroad, and commercial uses such, for example, as for transferring materials from one piece of equipment to another at different elevations, as Yfor transferring vehicles from one track to another, etc. Nor is the invention necessarily limitedtoa turntable as it is well adapted to lifting, as Well asV turning, andthe construction can be employed for hydraulic hoists or other lifting devices, irrespective of the abilityoi the table means dd' to turn about the axis li- A. The device is also well adapted to hydraulic hoists for lifting automobiles or other mechanical equipment for inspection and servicing. i

Y Various changes can be made in the device without departing from the spirit of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claimy as my invention:

i. Ina rotary structure, the combination of: an upwardly-extending post supported at its lower end and providing a cylindrical external surface; a table means including a downwardlyextending skirt and a sleeve tting tightly therein, said. sleeve providing a cylinder and being journalled on said post, said table means providing a closure means closing the upper end of said cylinder above the top of said post and flush with the surface of said table means to provide a closed chamberk between said closure means and the top ofsaid post; stop means operatively associated with said post and said table means for limiting the lowermost` position of said table,l means with respect to said post; and means for forcing liquid into said chamber and entrapping a body of liquid therein to raise said table means from its lowermost position to support said table and any weight placed thereon by transmission of pressure through the entrapped liquid to the upper end of said post. f Y

2. In a rotary structure, the combination of: a large circular table disposed ina circular-pit sunk in the Vground and providing a flat horizontal surface substantially aligned with the surrounding ground surface and having a central opening therein; a sleeve structure depending from said table concentric with said central opening and comprising a sleeve and a closure plate closing the upper endof said sleeve, said closure plate being of a size to close said central opening and providing an upper surface flush with said surface of said table, said sleeve structure providing a cylinder; a stationary post extending upward in said sleeve structure and terminating sho-rt of said closure plate to provide a chamber; and means for supplying liquid to said chamber and-for entrapping same therein to support the weight of said table and said sleeve structure by transmission of pressure through said liquid to the upper end of said post, said means comprising a conduit Vproviding one end opening on said chamber, the other end of said conduit being outside said pit andv at a level belowsaidchamber, said means including means for supplying liquid Yto said conduit under pressure and for draining Y liquidfrom said other end of said conduit.

VV3. In a rotary structure, the combination of:

' an upwardly-extending post supported at its lower endi and providing a cylindrical'external surface;

upperend of said post, said closure means including a depending annular member engaging said packing means whereby removal ofV said closure means gives access tosaid packing means from the Vupper endof said sleeve; and means for entrapping a body of liquid in said chamber to support said table means and any weight placed thereon by transmission of pressure-through the entrapped liquid to the upper end of said post.

, 4. In a rotary structure, the combination of: an upwardly-extending post supported at its lower end and providing a cylindricalexternal surface; a table means providing a downwardlyextending sleeve providing a cylinder of a diameter only slightly larger than said cylindrical external surface of said post whereby. said table means is journalled to turn about said pos-t, the upper portion of said sleeve providing a largerdiameter portion spaced from said cylindrical external surface of said post to provide a packing space; packing means in said packing space forsealing said sleeve with respect to said post; means for compressing said packing in said packing space; a .removable closure plate extending across said sleeve to close the upper end of said cylinder and provide a chamber in said sleeve between said closure plate and the upper end of said post; and a body of liquid entrapped in said chamber to support said table means and any weight placed thereon by transmission of pressure through the entrapped liquid t0 the upper end of said post.

5. A combination as defined in claimfi, in which said means for compressing said packing comprises a skirt depending from said removable closure plate and extending into said packing space whereby removal of said closure plate gives access to said packing. y f

' 6. In combination in a rotary, vertically-adjustable supporting structure: an upwardly-extending post supported at its lower end; atable means providing a downwardly-facing cylinder closed at its upper end, said post extending upwardly in said cylinder to journal said table means both for rotational andV vertical movement, there being a chamber in the upper closed end of saidcylinder v Y upwardly with said table means to uncover said passage means and permit escape of liquid from said chamber when said table means is at said'uppermost position. Y Y y Y '7. In a ground-hush. turntable for installation in a circular pit below ground leveLthel combination of: a post meansextending centrally upward- Vlynin said Ditto a position a short distancebelow ground level; alcircular table means of a size to turn in said circular pit and providing a fiat horizontal surface adapted to be lifted to a position ush with the ground, said circular table means providing a downwardly-facing cylinder slidably receiving said post means and opening on the top of said tablemeans; a removable closure plate for closing said opening, said closure plate providing an upper surface substantially iiush with said fiat horizontal surface and providing a lower surface bounding the uppermost portion of said cylinder, said cylinder cooperating with said post means in defining a variable-volume chamber just below ero-und level and removably closed at its upper end by said closure plate; and means for delivering iiuid under pressure to said closed chamber to lift said table means until said surface thereof is substantially flush with the ground and to support said table means and any weight placed thereon by transmission of pressure through said fluid to the upper end of said post means.

8. In a ground-nush turntable for installation in a circular pit below ground level, the combination of a post means extending centrally upward- 1y in said pit to a position a short distance below ground level; a circular table means of a size to turn in said circular pit and providing a horizontal surface adapted to be lifted to a position ush with the ground, said circular table means providing a downwardly-facing cylinder slidably receiving said post means, said cylinder cooperating with said post means in defining a variable-volume closed chamber just below ground level; means for delivering fluid under pressure to said closed chamber to lift said table means until said surface thereof is substantially flush with the ground and to support said table means and any weight placed thereon by transmission of pressure through said uid to the upper end of said post means; and a packing means for sealing said post means and said cylinder to entrap fluid in said closed chamber, said packing means being positioned near the upper end of said post means, said .table means including a removable closure means bounding the upper end cf said closed chamber and removable to give access to said packing means from the top of said table means.

9. A combination as defined in claim l., including means for limiting the upward movement of said table means, this means including means for discharging from said chamber'the liquid supplied thereto when said table means reaches a desired uppermost position.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, including a packing means associated with said sleeve at a position near the upper end of said post, and including passage means communicating between said packing means and said closed chamber to transmit the pressure of said liquid to said packing means.

1l. A combination as defined in claim 1, including a packing means near the upper end of said post for sealing said post with respect to said sleeve, and in which said sleeve provides a chamber below said packing means to receive any liquid escaping from said closed chamber past said packing means.

OSCAR W. ANDERSEN. 

